Page 94 of Pros Don't

Holland steps forward and uses his fingers to tip my chin up. “Mallory, I am very much into you. That has not changed. That is not going to change. These arms that you’ve seen putt dozens of balls today? All they want to do is hold you. These eyes that study the greens, analyzing the slopes and angles? All they want to focus on is you and…” he adds with a wolfish grin, “on your slopes and angles.”

I press my lips together, pleasure and relief snaking through me.

“These ears that listen to every little thing that you say out here when we’re practicing…they want to listen to everything, Mal. I want to know everything about you.”

I blow out a breath that sounds a little like a sob. But that can’t be right. I’m not a crier. Except…

Holland reaches up and brushes a tear off my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I’m going to do this the right way. I’m going to show you that I can still be a professional here at work. I’m not going to cheapen who you are to me by taking advantage of time that’s meant for golf—at least not until we have this all worked out. I respect you too much.”

I cover my eyes with my hands, because this is all too much.

“Hey, look at me.” Holland gently pries my fingers off my face. “I have thought of no one but you all morning. I can’t stop playing back our date from yesterday. And pretty soon”—he brushes histhumbs along my jaw, dipping his gaze to my mouth—“I’m going to get real personal when I take you out. Sound good?”

My mouth is suddenly dry, so I lick my lips and nod.

Holland groans and lets his forehead fall against mine. “I swear you’re trying to kill me, woman. Grip practice? Really?”

The swoop in my stomach is back, but this time, it’s the good kind. “I thought you’d appreciate that.”

“Pure torture. But now…” He gets a playful gleam in his eye before he bends and wraps his arms around me.

I yelp as he hoists me up and over his shoulder. I squeal, pounding on his back. “Holland! Put me down!”

He takes off running down the fairway. “No way. I’m showing you some more of my grip.”

I let my head fall forward, and I grin. I refuse to doubt this man again.

36

Tried Patience

Mallory

Afew hours later, I’m curled up in the chair in the corner of my room at Daisy’s, talking to my mom. Jo is out with friends, and my dad is at his store.

“You’re kind of glowing, Mal,” my mom tells me with a smile.

I just got finished detailing my date with Holland for her.

“That’s the lamplight.”

“No, it’s not, and you know it. Youlikehim. You like him a lot.”

I cover my face with my free hand. “I know.” I peek between my fingers. “I do.”

“I’m so happy for you! You have to bring him home here when the show is done. Or maybe we could make it up to one of his tournaments.” She sounds hopeful.

I lean forward in my chair. “Enough about me. How are you feeling today?”

“Good. Great.” My mom looks off to the side of the camera, and her smile wavers.

“Mom…what aren’t you telling me?”

She meets my gaze through the phone and looks guilty. “I’ve been having some mobility issues. It’s a flare up, and it’s been a bummer one, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

I frown. “I’m sorry. I wish I was there.”

“I’m fine,” she says definitively. “Don’t worry.”

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